In some operating systems all or parts of these three processes can be combined or repeated at different levels and the term 'format' is understood to mean an operation in which a new disk medium is fully prepared to store files. The third part of the process, usually termed 'high-level formatting' most often refers to the process of generating a new file system. Partitioning is the common term for the second part of the process, dividing the device into several sub-devices and, in some cases, writing information to the device allowing an operating system to be booted from it.

The first part of the formatting process that performs basic medium preparation is often referred to as 'low-level formatting'. In some cases, the formatting operation may also create one or more new file systems. Process of preparing a data storage device for initial useĭisk formatting is the process of preparing a data storage device such as a hard disk drive, solid-state drive, floppy disk, memory card or USB flash drive for initial use.

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